Word Study
steady
CIDE DICTIONARY
steady, a. [Cf. AS. stedig sterile, barren, stæ, steady (in gestæ), D. stedig, stadig, steeg, G. stätig, stetig. See Stead, n. ].
- Firm in standing or position; not tottering or shaking; fixed; firm. Keble. [1913 Webster]"Their feet steady, their hands diligent, their eyes watchful, and their hearts resolute." [1913 Webster]
- Constant in feeling, purpose, or pursuit; not fickle, changeable, or wavering; not easily moved or persuaded to alter a purpose; resolute; as, a man steady in his principles, in his purpose, or in the pursuit of an object. [1913 Webster]
- Regular; constant; undeviating; uniform; as, the steady course of the sun; a steady breeze of wind. [1913 Webster]
Syn. -- Fixed; regular; uniform; undeviating; invariable; unremitted; stable.
steady, v. t.
To make steady; to hold or keep from shaking, reeling, or falling; to make or keep firm; to support; to make constant, regular, or resolute. [1913 Webster]
steady, v. i.
To become steady; to regain a steady position or state; to move steadily. [1913 Webster]
"Without a breeze, without a tide,
She steadies with upright keel." [1913 Webster]
She steadies with upright keel." [1913 Webster]
OXFORD DICTIONARY
steady, adj., v., adv., int., & n.
--adj. (steadier, steadiest)
1 firmly fixed or supported or standing or balanced; not tottering, rocking, or wavering.
2 done or operating or happening in a uniform and regular manner (a steady pace; a steady increase).
3 a constant in mind or conduct; not changeable. b persistent.
4 (of a person) serious and dependable in behaviour; of industrious and temperate habits; safe; cautious.
5 regular, established (a steady girlfriend).
6 accurately directed; not faltering (a steady hand; a steady eye).
7 (of a ship) on course and upright.
--v.tr. & intr. (-ies, -ied) make or become steady (steady the boat).
--adv. steadily (hold it steady).
--int. as a command or warning to take care.
--n. (pl. -ies) colloq. a regular boyfriend or girlfriend.
--adj. (steadier, steadiest)
1 firmly fixed or supported or standing or balanced; not tottering, rocking, or wavering.
2 done or operating or happening in a uniform and regular manner (a steady pace; a steady increase).
3 a constant in mind or conduct; not changeable. b persistent.
4 (of a person) serious and dependable in behaviour; of industrious and temperate habits; safe; cautious.
5 regular, established (a steady girlfriend).
6 accurately directed; not faltering (a steady hand; a steady eye).
7 (of a ship) on course and upright.
--v.tr. & intr. (-ies, -ied) make or become steady (steady the boat).
--adv. steadily (hold it steady).
--int. as a command or warning to take care.
--n. (pl. -ies) colloq. a regular boyfriend or girlfriend.
Idiom
go steady (often foll. by with) colloq. have as a regular boyfriend or girlfriend. steady down become steady. steady-going staid; sober. steady on! a call to take care. steady state an unvarying condition, esp. in a physical process, e.g. of the universe having no beginning and no end.
Derivative
steadier n. steadily adv. steadiness n.
Etymology
STEAD = place, + -Y(1)
THESAURUS
steady
abiding, accordant, adamantine, ageless, alike, alternate, appease, ardent, arranged, articulated, assiduous, automatic, balance, balanced, ballast, beating, beau, beloved, bovine, boyfriend, brace, bulky, businesslike, calculable, calm, calm down, captive, catch, catenated, ceaseless, certain, changeless, chattering, circling, civilized, coeternal, compose, concatenated, confirmed, connected, conquest, consistent, consonant, constant, continual, continued, continuing, continuous, controlled, cool, coolheaded, coquette, correspondent, counterbalance, cradle, customer, cyclic, cyclical, date, dateless, dense, dependable, devoted, dignified, diligent, direct, dispassionate, dogged, down-to-earth, dulcify, dull, durable, ease, endless, enduring, epochal, equable, equal, eternal, eterne, even, even out, even-tempered, ever-being, ever-durable, ever-during, everlasting, everliving, every other, fail-safe, faithful, faithworthy, fast, featureless, fiducial, firm, firm as Gibraltar, firm up, firmly, fixed, flame, flat, flinty, flirt, formal, freeze, frequenter, gal, gapless, gentle, guaranteed, guy, habitual, habitue, hard, harmless, harmonious, hold, hold fast, homogeneous, honey, hush, immediate, immemorial, immobilize, immovable, immutable, impassive, imperturbable, in equilibrium, in hand, inalterable, inamorata, inamorato, incessant, indefatigable, indestructible, indomitable, industrious, inexcitable, infinite, inflexible, inirritable, insistent, interminable, intermittent, invariable, inveterate, invincible, invulnerable, isochronal, joined, jointless, keep, ladylove, lasting, level, level-headed, liege, linked, long-standing, lover, loyal, lull, machine gun, man, marble-constant, massive, measured, mechanical, methodic, methodical, metronomic, mollify, monolithic, monotonous, nail down, nerveless, never-ceasing, never-ending, never-failing, never-tiring, nonstop, nonterminating, nonterminous, normal, obstinate, of a piece, olamic, ordered, orderly, oscillating, oscillatory, pacify, patient, patient as Job, perdurable, perennial, periodic, periodical, permanent, perpetual, perseverant, persevering, persistent, persisting, pertinacious, pin down, plodding, plugging, poise, poised, pour balm into, predictable, preoccupied, pulsating, pulsing, quell, quiet, rapid, rapt, reciprocal, recurrent, recurring, regular, relaxed, relentless, reliable, remaining, repeated, repetitive, resolute, rest, retain, rhythmic, riskless, robotlike, rock, rock to sleep, rock-steady, rotary, round-the-clock, routine, rugged, running, seamless, seasonal, secure, sedate, sedulous, sempiternal, sensible, serial, serious, serried, set, settled, single-minded, sleepless, slogging, smooth, smooth down, smooth over, smoothen, sober, socialize, solid, solidly, soothe, sophisticated, sot, sound, stabile, stabilitate, stabilize, stable, staccato, staid, staunch, staying, steadfast, steady-handed, steady-nerved, steel-nerved, steely, stick, sticking, still, stoic, stolid, stout, straight, strengthen, strong, strong-nerved, stubborn, sturdy, stuttering, subdue, substantial, support, sure, surefire, sustained, sweet patootie, sweetheart, sweetie, symmetrical, systematic, tenacious, timeless, tireless, tough, tranquilize, transfix, true, true-blue, truelove, trustworthy, trusty, twenty-four-hour, unabating, unbending, unblenching, unblinking, unbroken, unceasing, unchangeable, unchanged, unchanging, unconquerable, undangerous, undaunted, undeflectable, undeviating, undifferentiated, undiscouraged, undisturbable, undiversified, undrooping, undulant, undulatory, undying, unending, unfailing, unfaltering, unflagging, unflappable, unflinching, unhazardous, uniform, unintermitted, unintermittent, unintermitting, uninterrupted, unirritable, unnervous, unnodding, unpassionate, unperilous, unprecarious, unqualified, unquestioning, unquivering, unrelaxing, unrelenting, unrelieved, unremitting, unrisky, unruffled, unshakable, unshaken, unshaky, unshrinking, unsleeping, unstopped, unstrained, unswerving, untiring, untremulous, unvaried, unvarying, unwavering, unwearied, unwearying, unwinking, unyielding, usual, utterly attentive, vamp, vampire, vibrating, warranteed, wavelike, weariless, well-balanced, well-built, well-constructed, well-founded, well-grounded, well-made, well-ordered, well-regulated, wheeling, wholehearted, without a tremor, without end, without nerves, womanROGET THESAURUS
steady
Resolution
N resolution, determination, will, iron will, unconquerable will, will of one's own, decision, resolution, backbone, clear grit, true grit, grit, sand, strength of mind, strength of will, resolve, firmness, energy, manliness, vigor, game, pluck, resoluteness, zeal, aplomb, desperation, devotion, devotedness, mastery over self, self control, self command, self possession, self reliance, self government, self restraint, self conquest, self denial, moral courage, moral strength, perseverance, tenacity, obstinacy, bulldog, British lion, resolved, determined, strong-willed, strong-minded, resolute, self-possessed, decided, definitive, peremptory, tranchant, unhesitating, unflinching, unshrinking, firm, iron, gritty, indomitable, game to the backbone, inexorable, relentless, not to be shaken, not to be put down, tenax propositi, inflexible, obstinate, steady, earnest, serious, set upon, bent upon, intent upon, steel against, proof against, in utrumque paratus, resolutely, in earnest, in good earnest, seriously, joking apart, earnestly, heart and soul, on one's mettle, manfully, like a man, with a high hand, with a strong hand, at any rate, at any risk, at any hazard, at any price, at any cost, at any sacrifice, at all hazards, at all risks, at all events, a' bis ou a blanc, cost what it may, coute, a tort et a travers, once for all, neck or nothing, rain or shine, spes sibi quisque, celui qui veut celui-la peut, chi non s'arrischia non guadagna, frangas non flectes, manu forti, tentanda via est.Perseverance
N perseverance, continuance, permanence, firmness, constancy, steadiness, singleness of purpose, tenacity of purpose, persistence, plodding, patience, sedulity, pertinacy, pertinacity, pertinaciousness, iteration, bottom, game, pluck, stamina, backbone, grit, indefatigability, indefatigableness, bulldog courage, persevering, constant, steady, steadfast, undeviating, unwavering, unfaltering, unswerving, unflinching, unsleeping, unflagging, undrooping, steady as time, unrelenting, unintermitting, unremitting, plodding, industrious, strenuous, pertinacious, persisting, persistent, solid, sturdy, staunch, stanch, true to oneself, unchangeable, unconquerable, indomitable, game to the last, indefatigable, untiring, unwearied, never tiring, through evil report and good report, through thick and thin, through fire and water, per fas et nefas, without fail, sink or swim, at any price, vogue la galere, never say die, give it the old college try, vestigia nulla retrorsum, aut vincer aut mori, la garde meurt et ne se rend pas, tout vient a temps pour qui sait attendre.Frequency
N frequency, oftness, oftenness, commonness, repetition, normality, example (conformity), routine, custom (habit), regularity, uniformity, constancy, clock-work precision, punctuality, even tenor, system, routine, formula, rule, keynote, standard, model, precedent, conformity, frequent, many times, not rare, thickcoming, incessant, perpetual, continual, steady, constant, thick, uniform, repeated, customary, (habit), regular (normal), according to rule, common, everyday, usual, ordinary, familiar, old-hat, boring, well-known, trivial, often, oft, ofttimes, oftentimes, frequently, repeatedly, unseldom, not unfrequently, in quick succession, in rapid succession, many a time and oft, daily, hourly, every day, every hour, every moment, perpetually, continually, constantly, incessantly, without ceasing, at all times, daily and hourly, night and day, day and night, day after day, morning noon and night, ever anon, invariably (habit), most often, commonly, sometimes, occasionally, at times, now and then, from time to time, there being times when, toties quoties, often enough, when the mood strikes, again and again.Periodicity
N regularity of recurrence, periodicity, intermittence, beat, oscillation, pulse, pulsation, rhythm, alternation, alternateness, alternativeness, alternity, bout, round, revolution, rotation, turn, say, anniversary, jubilee, centenary, catamenia, courses, menses, menstrual flux, rota, cycle, period, stated time, routine, days of the week, Sunday, Monday, months of the year, January, feast, fast, Christmas, Easter, New Year's day, Allhallows, Allhallowmas, All Saints' Day, All Souls', All Souls' Day, Ash Wednesday, bicentennial, birthday, bissextile, Candlemas, Dewali, groundhog day, Halloween, Hallowmas, Lady day, leap year, Midsummer day, Muharram, woodchuck day, St. Swithin's day, natal day, yearbook, yuletide, punctuality, regularity, steadiness, periodic, periodical, serial, recurrent, cyclical, rhythmical, recurring, intermittent, remittent, alternate, every other, hourly, diurnal, daily, quotidian, tertian, weekly, hebdomadal, hebdomadary, biweekly, fortnightly, bimonthly, catamenial, monthly, menstrual, yearly, annual, biennial, triennial, centennial, secular, paschal, lenten, regular, steady, punctual, regular as clockwork, periodically, at regular intervals, at stated times, at fixed established, at established periods, punctually, de die in diem, from day to day, day by day, by turns, in turn, in rotation, alternately, every other day, off and on, ride and tie, round and round.Stability
N stability, immutability, unchangeability unchangeableness, constancy, stable equilibrium, immobility, soundness, vitality, stabiliment, stiffness, ankylosis, solidity, aplomb, establishment, fixture, rock, pillar, tower, foundation, leopard's spots, Ethiopia's skin, permanence, obstinacy, unchangeable, immutable, unaltered, unalterable, not to be changed, constant, permanent, invariable, undeviating, stable, durable, perennial, fixed, steadfast, firm, fast, steady, balanced, confirmed, valid, fiducial, immovable, irremovable, riveted, rooted, settled, established, vested, incontrovertible, stereotyped, indeclinable, tethered, anchored, moored, at anchor, on a rock, rock solid, firm as a rock, firmly seated, firmly established, deep-rooted, ineradicable, inveterate, obstinate, transfixed, stuck fast, aground, high and dry, stranded, stuck, jammed, unremovable, quiescent, deterioration, indefeasible, irretrievable, intransmutable, incommutable, irresoluble, irrevocable, irreversible, reverseless, inextinguishable, irreducible, indissoluble, indissolvable, indestructible, undying, imperishable, incorruptible, indelible, indeciduous, insusceptible, insusceptible of change, Int, stet, littera scripta manet.Caution
N caution, cautiousness, discretion, prudence, cautel, heed, circumspection, calculation, deliberation, foresight, vigilance, warning, coolness, self-possession, self-command, presence of mind, sang froid, well-regulated mind, worldly wisdom, Fabian policy, cautious, wary, guarded, on one's guard, cavendo tutus, in medio tutissimus, vigilant, careful, heedful, cautelous, stealthy, chary, shy of, circumspect, prudent, discreet, politic, sure-footed, unenterprising, unadventurous, cool, steady, self-possessed, overcautious, cautiously, Int, have a care!, timeo Danaos, festina lente, ante victoriam ne canas triumphum, don't sing out victory before the triumph, give, every man thine ear but few thy voice, he who laughs last laughs best, il rit bien qui rit le dernier, ni firmes carta que no leas ni bebas agua que no v, nescit vox missa reverti, love all, trust a few, noli irritare leones, safe bind safe find, if it ain't broke, don't fix it.For further exploring for "steady" in Webster Dictionary Online
